Halloween Tips from Oprah's Makeup Artist, Derrick Rutledge

Halloween is approaching and if you are running out of ideas then check out this amazing idea from Derrick Rutledge. Derrick is a celebrity makeup artist and beauty advisor to Oprah and Michelle Obama. This inspiring look is from the movie, The Great Gatsby and is sure to amaze everyone at your party.

Here is tips on how to achieve this look.

Isla Fisher sports finger waves, bold red lips and smoky eyes in The Great Gatsby

Fashionable finger waves:

·      Work styling mousse throughout wet hair. Create a deep side part with a fine-tooth comb.

·      Next to the part, separate a strand of hair about 2 inches wide. Pull it toward the face and begin shaping the waves.

·      Push the hair up towards the part and downwards toward the face to shape the wave in a zig-zag pattern. Continue creating waves all over the head, securing with clips as you move along.

·      Repeat this process all the way around the head and allow to air dry or sit under a hair dryer. Finish with hairspray to hold. 

Dramatic red lips: 

·      Begin by coating the lips in a light layer of powder foundation.

·      Take a lip-liner that matches the lipstick colour and line the lips, making sure to accentuate the cupid’s bow. Then fill in the entire lip with the same liner.

·      Use a lipstick brush to fill in the lip colour over the liner and blot to ensure that the colour is matte.

Sultry smoky eye:

·      Begin with a clean canvas: apply a cream-based concealer over the eyelid and allow to set. 

·      Trace both lashlines with a dark pencil, drawing as close to the lashes as possible and extending the line slightly past the eyelid in an upward sweep. Using a small angled applicator, smudge the line slightly.

·      Brush a powder shadow in a similar shade over the eyelid and blend it outward from the crease.

·      Then use a highlighting shadow to lightly dust the browbone.

·      Lastly, curl lashes and apply several coats of black mascara. 

Now that your look is complete, you can now show up to your Halloween party looking amazing and you will have people asking who did your makeup! For more tips on applying makeup and some techniques for a flawless finish check Derrick Rutledge's website and follow him on Twitter. Information is below.

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Derrick and Oprah 

For more information about Derrick Rutledge;

Twitter: @derrick4draf

Website: Derrick Rutledge Make Up Maestro 

The Simple Daily Routine

The most important things that will have you feeling amazing and healthier in your daily life!

* Keep your hydration up! Drink lots of water and if you don't like plan water, try Coconut Water! Great replacement and full of healthy nutrients and benefits!

* Eat natural sugars, so load up on fruits and vegetables in replace of artificial sugars! When cravings hit, grab a piece of fruit or a few vegetables.

* Cleanse your skin daily 2x a day minimum

* Moisturize accordingly to your skin type.

* Make it a routine to exfoliate 2x a week to get rid of dead skin cells and introduce a fresh, healthy layer of skin to the surface and have a beautiful glow to your skin.

The biggest mistake the average person makes when it comes to their Skincare routine is consistency!  For a balanced and fresh look you should make sure to cleanse 2x a day, moisturize 2x a day and exfoliate 2-3x a week depending on your skin's condition.

Education 101 on Compromising Ingredients in Some Products

Can I mix products without compromising effectiveness of the ingredients?

Answer is:

Yes you can! But you should never mix any products with SPF in them! It dilutes the sunscreen and your chances of being protected just diminished by 70%!

Never mix a product that has:

* Salicylic Acid
* Glycolic Acid
* Alpha- Hydroxy Acid

With:

* Hydroquinone
* Retinol
* Vitamin C products

The acids will breakdown these products and some of these products are meant for exfoliation. If you mix them with other products that are not meant to be mixed you could experience a deeper issue that could potentially burn your skin and/or cause a severe rash!

Just please be cautious and always read labels as they are important in everything we use in our day to day lives.

Sunshine, Heat and A Bit of Balance

Sun is shining, sandals are on our feet and we are ready for that summertime weather, but is your skin ready?

There is always factors at this time of year with being prone to breaking out from a product or your face developing a burn from the sun because the necessary steps were not taken in preventing this.

First thing you need to make sure you do, whether you burn or tan, you need to be wearing a minimum of SPF 25 either alone or in your moisturiser. 

Whether you burn or you tan, you are still doing damage to your epidermal layers and you are increasing your risks of cancers, premature ageing and severe burns that scar. A tan is still part of burning your skin, you are just burning the layers faster. Either way, you are not helping your skin. Please stay protected.

Second thing, if you find you are developing more oil and you are perspiring more in the summer then you need a gel moisturiser which will help in balancing your skin's oil production and it will also be light enough so your skin can still breathe and take on the effects and heat. 

Here are my Top 3:

#3:       Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

$31.00 The Bay, Sears

 This is a lightweight lotion that helps smooth, soften and improve the skins texture. It also helps with balancing the oil production in the skin's layers over time.

Apply it twice a day (morning and night) for best results.

#2:    Shiseido Pureness Moisturising Gel-Cream

$40.00 The Bay, Sears, Shoppers Drug Mart

This is also a lightweight gel-cream and it helps balance as well as clear the skin of any imperfections that have developed over time to our skins surface.

With regular use you will notice a change in the feel and look of your skin, as this product softens and improves the skins texture.

#1     Estee Lauder Clear Difference Oil Control Lotion

$40.00 Sears

This is a great moisturiser for anyone who is prone to oily skin and has trouble with breakouts. Not only does this help balance but it also is so lightweight that it feels like you are getting enough moisture but it isn't heavy. 

It gives you a matte finish as well and helps your make-up go on smooth and a matte finish. 

The only downside to these moisturisers is they do not have SPF in them so I personally will recommend adding in a SPF booster which you can pick up at any skincare counter. It just adds a bit of protection into your moisturiser.  If you have trouble finding these items, just add your facial sunscreen into your moisturiser and apply it to your areas of concern. 

Happy Following!!!! :)

Natural Nail Strengthening Treatment

Are you finding that your natural nail is brittle and soft? 

Do they break real easy when doing your daily tasks?

Well I have a natural remedy to help with those issues!

All you need is:

20 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
15 drops of Carrot Essential Oil
13 drops of Grapeseed Essential Oil
13 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil
13 drops of Avocado Essential Oil
2 ounces of Jojoba Essential Oil

Blend all oils together and keep in a light-sensitive container or bottle (dark colour works great) with a dropper. Use it on the nail after you polish the nail or after you moisturize your hands. Give it time to settle into the nail bed and the cuticle before washing hands and doing your daily tasks. For best results, do it before you fall asleep at night. You are giving your hands a rest so the oils have more of a chance to absorb into the nail bed.

Enjoy!!

It Is A Hug For Muscles and Body

Whether you are into professional sports, workout during the week, or just have an intense labouring job there is a solution to help you subside the effects of tired and sore muscles.

After a workout or a tough day at work, you don't usually feel the effects until the next day when the muscles have been resting all night but there is a way to help relax them so you can wake up in the morning feeling better and renewed.

Relax Bath and Shower Concentrate, 200mL, $40

Let me introduce you to; Relax Bath and Shower Concentrate

This is a great addition to your skin care routine especially after a work out because the properties incorporated into this product help soothe the skin and help relax sore and strained muscles.

You can use it in the bath if you feel like sitting in hot water and zoning out for 20-25 minutes and it is great for the shower when you have limited time but would like the benefits associated with using the product.

Key Ingredients:

*Essential Oils (Basil, Geranium, Camomile, Petit Grain) scent; soothe and promotes a sense of well-being
*Cleansing base of Coconut: cleanses and provides comfort
*Extracts of Linden, St. John's Wort, Hawthorn, Thyme, Valerian: relaxes sore muscles after exercise

In conclusion, you should keep this product in your gym back, sports bag, locker, shower etc. You will see great benefits in using this product after an intense and dedicated workout or even after a tough day at work.

It is available wherever Clarins products are sold.

Skin Consulting 101

I would like to take a moment to discuss something that is very important to myself as well as the clients I work with everyday.

It is called a Skin Consultation. One of the MOST IMPORTANT steps in finding a solution for clients who need direction on their skin care routine.

I cannot stress this enough in my everyday life especially when I have clients approaching me, asking me things like;

* "This cream is making me breakout"
* "I am finding that this product is burning my skin"
* "I don't know how to use this"
* "What is this suppose to do for my skin again?"

The question I ask them is, " Did someone sit down with you and do a skin care consultation?" And 8/10 times they say no and have no idea what a skin care consultation is.

As a professional, you have to recommend products for clients everyday. Also, you have to make sure it is going to work for them before they walk away from you. It is so important to learn about their skin as well as educating them on procedures, techniques and solutions to help them get back to a state of mind that they feel comfortable with themselves.

I see too may Consultants that just spend 2-5 minutes with a client and then a week later that client comes back with one of the questions quoted above. You are only taking credit off of yourself as well as losing the confidence that the client saw in you.

If I was to walk into a place that sold products and someone took the time out of their day to understand my needs and wants then I would forever remember that experience, oppose to walking in, being recommended to use a certain item, take it home and have a reaction right away. And don't forget I would then have to take time again out of my day to deal with the issue, that could've been avoided.

Treat others how you would like to be treated in situations because it gives you a true appreciation of the industry and of the person.

Find out what the needs, wants and outcomes your clients have laid out and educate them on how they can reach those goals. They are putting their trust in you so you need to show them.

Create a relationship with your clients, it is #1.